Homemade Taco Potato Casserole Recipe: Zesty Comfort Food Joy

Crafting a delightful taco potato casserole brings together two comfort food favorites in a mouthwatering mash-up.

Mexican-inspired spices dance with hearty potatoes, creating a seriously addictive dish.

Layers of crispy potato slices merge seamlessly with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese.

Each forkful promises a burst of zesty flavor that’ll make dinner something special.

Cheesy, spicy, and totally satisfying, this casserole breaks free from ordinary weeknight meals.

Home cooks love how simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary.

Why Taco Potato Casserole Is a Tasty Twist on Comfort Food

• Boost Family Dinner: Packed with hearty ground beef, potatoes, and cheese, this casserole delivers a crowd-pleasing meal that keeps everyone satisfied and happy.
• Simplify Cooking Process: Combines basic ingredients in one skillet and baking dish, reducing kitchen cleanup and making preparation straightforward for busy home cooks.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows quick variations by swapping cheeses, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra toppings like sour cream or jalapeños to match personal preferences.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Requires minimal prep work and bakes in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when time is short and hunger is high.

Ingredients for Taco Potato Casserole

• Ground Beef: A protein-rich base that provides the hearty foundation for this taco-inspired casserole.
• Hash Browns: Crispy potato pieces that add texture and substance to the dish.
• Rotel Tomatoes: Zesty canned tomatoes that bring a spicy and tangy flavor profile.

• Cheddar Cheese Sauce: A creamy component that helps bind the ingredients together.
• Colby Jack Cheese: A melty cheese that adds richness and creates a golden, bubbly topping.

• Taco Seasoning: A blend of spices that infuses the casserole with classic Mexican-inspired flavors.
• Onions: Aromatic vegetables that provide depth and sweetness to the overall taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the other ingredients.

How to Make Taco Potato Casserole

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C) and get ready for some serious comfort food magic.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Grab a large skillet and cook the ground beef over medium heat.

Watch it transform from pink to perfectly browned.

Drain away any extra grease to keep things light.

Step 3: Soften the Onions

Toss those diced onions into the same skillet and let them dance until they become soft and translucent.

Step 4: Mix the Flavor Explosion

• Cooked ground beef
• Softened onions
• Hash browns
• Rotel tomatoes
• Cheddar cheese sauce
• Colby jack cheese
• Taco seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir everything together until it’s perfectly blended.

Step 5: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grease up a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the mixture evenly across the surface.

Step 6: Cheese Crown

Sprinkle the remaining Colby jack cheese on top, creating a golden, melty blanket.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is bubbling and looking irresistibly golden.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole cool for a few minutes, then dive into this mouthwatering masterpiece.

Enjoy every cheesy, spicy bite!

Pro Tips for Taco Potato Casserole

• Remove as much fat as possible to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a crisp texture.
• Adjust taco seasoning to taste, adding extra chili powder or cayenne for more heat if desired.
• Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and richer flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
• Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a vegetarian version that's equally delicious.
• Broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end to create a golden, crispy cheese layer that adds extra texture.

Variations to Try with Taco Potato Casserole

• Vegetarian Potato Casserole: Replace ground beef with black beans or lentils for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Chicken Taco Potato Bake: Swap ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken for a lighter protein option.
• Gluten-Free Potato Casserole: Use gluten-free taco seasoning and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute hash browns with riced cauliflower to reduce carbohydrate content and add extra vegetables.

Serving Ideas for Taco Potato Casserole

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange the casserole with fresh chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream for a vibrant, eye-catching presentation.
• Fiesta Side Companions: Serve alongside crisp tortilla chips, Mexican rice, or a zesty green salad to complement the rich, cheesy flavors of the casserole.
• Toppings Galore: Customize individual servings with optional toppings like diced avocado, salsa, chopped green onions, or a drizzle of hot sauce for extra kick.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining casserole into stuffed bell peppers or wrap in tortillas for quick next-day lunch burritos that reinvent the original dish.

How to Store Taco Potato Casserole Properly

• Seal cooled casserole in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping flavors fresh and ingredients intact.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place in a freezer bag to preserve for 2-3 months without losing quality or taste.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350F, cover casserole with foil to prevent drying, warm for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly, removing foil last 5 minutes for cheese to crisp up.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a lean alternative. Just ensure it’s fully cooked and seasoned similarly to ground beef.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids love the cheesy, potato-based casserole with mild taco flavors. The combination of hash browns and cheese makes it appealing to children.

• How spicy is this casserole?

The recipe has a mild spice level from taco seasoning and Rotel tomatoes. If you prefer less heat, use mild Rotel or reduce the taco seasoning amount.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the baking stage, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time.

Taco Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Comforting Mexican-inspired Taco Potato Casserole blends hearty potatoes with zesty taco flavors for a crowd-pleasing meal. Layers of seasoned meat, cheese, and crispy potato edges create a delicious dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef, 93%-7% blend

Vegetables and Tomatoes:

• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) diced sweet yellow onion (Vidalia onion)
• 30 ounces (850 grams) frozen shredded hash browns
• 20 ounces (567 grams) Rotel original diced tomatoes & green chilies (two 10-ounce cans)

Cheese and Seasonings:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) mild cheddar cheese sauce
• 2 1/2 cups (285 grams) shredded Colby jack cheese, divided
• 2 ounces (57 grams) taco seasoning (two 1-ounce packets)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until fully cooked, approximately 7-10 minutes. Drain accumulated fat.
3. Sauté diced onions in the same skillet until translucent and softened, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Combine cooked ground beef, sautéed onions, hash browns, Rotel tomatoes, cheddar cheese sauce, and taco seasoning in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly.
5. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
6. Fold in 1 cup of shredded Colby jack cheese into the mixture, blending well.
7. Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
8. Sprinkle remaining 1½ cups of Colby jack cheese across the top of the casserole.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until cheese is completely melted and edges are golden brown.
10. Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving to help set the layers.

Notes

• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the casserole.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly alternative.
• Add diced bell peppers or jalapeños for extra crunch and flavor complexity in the dish.
• Prep ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process and make weeknight meal preparation faster and easier.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 375 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 710 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.4 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg